New gas chromatographic method for estimation of norepinephrine and dopamine in brain

A sensitive and rapid HPLC-ECD method for the simultaneous analysis of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and their primary metabolites in brain tissue

This report details a very sensitive, rapid and accurate ion-pair HPLC-ECD method for the analysis of biogenic amines and their metabolites in brain tissue. The method described enables detection of picogram amounts of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy phenethyleneglycol (MHPG) (37 pg), 3,4-dihydroxy phenylacetic acid (DOPAC) (18 pg), norepinephrine (NE) (12 pg), epinephrine (E) (6 pg), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) (18 pg), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (DA) (6 pg), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HVA) (12 pg) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (12 pg). The linearity of the method is from 18.75 ng/mL to 300 ng/mL for MHPG; 9.37 to 150 ng/mL for DOPAC and 5-HIAA; 6.25 to 100 ng/mL for NE, HVA and 5-HT; and from 3.12 to 100 ng/mL for E and DA. The reproducibility, expressed as coefficient of variance (CV%) within-run and between-run groups, was 2.25% and 19.49% for MHPG; 3.84% and 29.84% for DOPAC; 0.89% and 8.97% for NE; 1.26% and 5.61% for E; 1.07% and 28.77% for 5-HIAA; 2.65% and 10.65% for DA; 5.97% and 24.38% for HVA; and 4.44% and 9.45% for 5-HT.

High performance liquid chromatography of pharmacologically active amines and peptides in biological materials

Precise and quantitative reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedures are described which can be used in biogenic amine and neuropeptide research. The amine procedure was applied to various pharmacological matrices including plasma, heart tissue and brain. The use of peptide HPLC as an analytical tool for various neuropeptides is illustrated by studies on des-tyrosine-gamma-endorphin (DT gamma E) metabolism in the brain and the stability of an ACTH (ORG-2766) analogue during a chronic infusion in rats. The power of HPLC as a research tool in peptide pharmacology is described, discussed and demonstrated as an aid in the understanding of the pharmacological effects of exogenous peptides and the function of the brain.

High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of biogenic amines in biological materials as o-phthalaldehyde derivatives

A remarkably sensitive, simple and selective reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed, allowing, for the first time, the direct measurement of histamine, norepinephrine, octopamine, normetanephrine, dopamine, serotonin and tyramine in a single sample of plasma (2 ml), tissue (0.2 g), or urine. The biogenic amines were modified by pre-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde which stabilizes the molecules, aids in extraction, and improves HPLC detection at the nanogram level. To minimize losses during the sampling procedure a careful collection procedure was designed. We developed a simple sample cleanup in which the samples were thawed, neutralized with KOH, immediately derivatized, extracted into ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and then chromatographed by HPLC. The derivatives were stable in EtOAc for more then 24 h. Interfering amino acids were removed from the EtOAc by partitioning twice with Na2HPO4 buffer (pH 10.0). Complete separation was achieved in ca. 60--90 min on a muBondapak phenyl column using a stepwise gradient of acetonitrile and/or methanol-phosphate buffer (pH 5.1). A variable wavelength fluorometer with a 5-microliter flow-cell was used (excitation 340 nm; emission 480 nm). Linearity ranged from 200 pg to 50 ng onto the column. Precision (R.S.D.) for retention times was 1% and for derivatization and injection 2.5%. Recoveries of the seven biogenic amines from plasma spiked with 25 ng/ml averaged 70%, with a relative standard deviation of 6%. Separation studies were also done using a muBondapak C18 column. The effects of various eluents are presented. Gas-liquid chromatography was also investigated but lacked the sensitivity achieved by HPLC. The HPLC method is used routinely for the determination of biogenic amines in plasma from pigs with malignant hyperthemia and thermally stressed bovine. Significant differences in levels of biogenic amines were noted between stressed and non-stressed animals. Data on rat brain tissue samples were compared with the trihydroxyindole method and canine heart tissue was analyzed for ventricular norepinephrine and dopamine. Application of the method to urine from normal persons and a patient with a brain tumor has been demonstrated.

High-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of plasma dobutamine concentrations

A sensitive and specific high-pressure liquid chromatographic method was developed for measuring dobutamine in human plasma samples. Nylidrin is employed as an internal standard. Following extraction and separation on a C18 reversed-phase column, the drug is detected by a fluorescence detector with an excitation wavelength of 195 nm and a 330-nm emission cutoff filter. The retention times of dobutamine and nylidrin are 5.2 and 19.2 min, respectively. The minimum level of sensitivity is 10 ng/ml. Reproducibility was +/- 5% over a 25--300-ng/ml range. Several drugs were screened for possible interference, but none interfered with the dobutamine analysis.

Identification of an isoquinoline alkaloid after chronic exposure to ethanol

A rapid and simple method for extraction of biogenic amines from small tissue samples was used to examine striata from ethanol-treated mice for TIQs. The results indicate that chronic ethanol administration can induce the formation of MSAL in striatal tissue.

Modified electron-capture GLC assay for salsolinol in brain tissue

A modified assay for a neuroamine-derived tetrahydroisoquinoline, salsolinol, is presented. It combines the ease and rapidity of solvent extraction from brain tiessue with the sensitivity of electron-capture GLC. Detection of salsolinol (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-methyl-6,7-isoquinolinediol), the alkaloid derived from condensation of dopamine and acetaldehyde, at levels of 5-10 ng/g of brain tissue is possible. The advantages afforded by the modifications are discussed in relation to existing procedures.